On February 8, 1892, Virginia Anna Betts, a 24-year-old white female residing in Chicago, Illinois, died under circumstances later linked to H. H. Holmes, one of America's earliest known serial killers. Holmes, born Herman Webster Mudgett, was a trained physician and pharmacist who operated a drugstore near his infamous "Murder Castle" in Chicago. In his 1896 confession, Holmes admitted to killing Anna Betts by substituting poison for her prescribed medication.
His motive was disturbingly detached: he desired to be summoned as the attending physician to witness her death firsthand. However, this plan was thwarted when Anna was treated by her own physician, denying Holmes the morbid satisfaction he sought.
The details surrounding Anna Betts' death were further complicated by societal attitudes of the time. Holmes noted that her prescription remained on file, suggesting that authorities could examine it if they wished. There were insinuations that her death might reflect upon her moral character, a common tactic used during that era to cast aspersions on women's reputations. By allowing such rumors to persist, Holmes not only committed murder but also contributed to the posthumous slandering of Anna's name.
Holmes' confession, while providing some insight into his crimes, was riddled with inconsistencies and fabrications. He claimed to have murdered 27 individuals, but investigations revealed that some of the named victims were still alive, and others may never have existed. Despite these discrepancies, Anna Betts' death certificate aligns with Holmes' account, lending credence to his confession in her case.
Ultimately, H. H. Holmes was arrested in 1894 and convicted for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel. He was executed by hanging in 1896. While he was only formally charged with Pitezel's murder, Holmes' own admissions and subsequent investigations suggest he was responsible for multiple deaths, including that of Virginia Anna Betts.
